WESTERN Port Steelers player Olivier “Ollie” Lemire-Guevin will leave for Utah Prep Academy in the United States in mid-August, after being offered a scholarship through an Australian sporting agency.
The 15-year-old, who has played in the Big V ‘Steelers’ Men’s Division 1 development program this season, will spend Year 10 as a sophomore at Utah Prep Academy, an international boarding high school for elite sports students set on a spectacular 55-acre campus in Hurricane, Utah.
Lemire-Guevin has played for Western Port since he was in under-14s, working his way up through the club’s junior pathway into the Youth League and, this year, the senior Big V squad.
Big V Men’s Division 1 coach, Karl Loh, said the club prides itself on bringing juniors through its ranks.
“I love that about this club – everyone looks out for each other,” he said.
“You’ll always have a junior program, and once players try out for youth league, if that works well, we make them development players for the senior team, and that starts to test them at another level again,” said Loh.
Lemire-Guevin was contacted by a Dominion Sports agent, who recommended Utah Prep as one of the best programs in the US for international players.
Ollie’s mother, Bec Davis, said the offer took the family by surprise.
“College basketball has always been a dream for Ollie, but we had never considered prep school,” she said
“It was a shock, mixed feelings, but I felt really happy because I never thought this moment would come this soon,” Lemire-Guevin to The News.
Loh said Lemire-Guevin caught his attention from his first tryout.
“He stood out to me as being a competitor. He had some real talent, and he was a really good shooter.
“When I found out he was a hell of a lot younger than the other guys, I thought, well, this guy’s got some real spirit.
“He was really competitive, really aggressive – if he had the open shot, he would take it. He didn’t ask for permission,” said Loh.
Lemire-Guevin said training and playing against older, bigger opponents had shaped his game.
“I had to focus on speed and positioning instead of size – getting into the crevices other people couldn’t get into.
“I just try to tire them out, being up in their face, getting steals and putting pressure on the ball all the time,” he said.
Liam Ingram, founder of Game Point in Hastings and a Big V teammate who has mentored Lemire-Guevin one-on-one, said his development has gone beyond skills.
“Developing a strong mindset is one of the biggest challenges affecting players in pro sport, and Ollie’s strength is a credit to him,” said Ingram.
Davis said the family was proud of what the Western Port pathway had given her son, but the sacrifice of the move was real.
“As a family, we want to support our kids’ dreams, but you’re never quite prepared for the moment that it becomes real,” she said.
“I think when the day comes [to leave], I’ll be really excited, but also pretty sad that I’m leaving everything that’s been my home for so long,” said Lemire-Guevin.
“I’m looking forward to developing in the American system.”
Loh said he expects Lemire-Guevin to handle the step up.
“I think he’ll go with flying colours,” said Loh.
First published in the Mornington News – 4 August 2026
